Hard luggage case with changeable case portion

ABSTRACT

A hard luggage case with changeable case portion includes a first and a second case portion; a closure structure connected to between the first and the second case portion for binding them together to form the luggage case; a coupling structure provided in the luggage case with one longitudinal edge fixedly connected to the first case portion and another longitudinal edge detachably connected to the second case portion; and a covering structure externally provided on the luggage case corresponding to the coupling structure, and having one longitudinal edge externally fixedly connected to the first case portion and another longitudinal edge forming a free end. When the coupling structure and the covering structure are detached from the second case portion, the closure structure allows the second case portion to completely separate from the first one and be replaced with a structurally identical third case portion that shows a different exterior design.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hard luggage case, and more particularly to a luggage case having two detachably assembled case portions, at least one of which can be selectively replaced with a third structurally identical case portion showing different exterior design, colors or patterns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A luggage case is generally carried by a user during a holiday trip or a sightseeing travel abroad for holding personal things. Presently, there are various kinds of luggage cases available in the market featured by different functions and designs to satisfy customers' increasing demands.

In the early stage, luggage cases were made of wood material or other relatively heavy material. However, following the popularization of air travel, heavy wooden luggage cases are now gradually replaced by those made of light-weight rigid plastic and fabric materials. In addition to the change in the materials thereof, the currently available luggage cases also have human-centered designs and functions as the result of some great progress in many related technological fields, providing consumers with more convenience in use.

In brief, there is a wide choice of luggage cases available in the market to provide users with different functions. When choosing a luggage case, a consumer would usually carefully consider not only the luggage case's functions, but also its exterior design. While a luggage case can be functionally satisfactory to a user, it normally has an exterior design that is not changeable. The user is not allowed to change the case portions of the luggage case according to personal preference, and there is no way for the user to create some unique appearance for his or her luggage case.

It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop a luggage case structure that allows a user to change at least one of the case portions of the existing luggage case according to personal preference, so as to overcome the problem of monotonous appearance of the conventional luggage cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a luggage case that can be freely assembled from case portions of different exterior designs according to a user's preference, so as to create unique and diversified appearances for the luggage case.

To achieve the above and other objects, the hard luggage case with changeable case portion according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed of a first and a second case portion made of a rigid material; and a closure structure is provided between the first and the second case portion to openably bind them together, so as to define a receiving in between the two case portions. The luggage case is characterized in a coupling structure provided in the receiving space to locate at one lateral side of the luggage case; and the coupling structure has one longitudinal edge internally fixedly connected to the first case portion and another opposite longitudinal edge detachably connected to an inner surface of the second case portion.

In the first preferred embodiment, the coupling structure is detachably connected to the second case portion with a hook tape and a loop tape provided on between the coupling structure and the second case portion, respectively.

When the coupling structure is detached from the second case portion, the closure structure allows the first and the second case portion to completely separate from each other, such that the second case portion can be selectively replaced with a third case portion, which is structurally identical to the second case portion but has a different exterior design.

The hard luggage case with changeable case portion according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed of a first and a second case portion made of a rigid material; and a closure structure is provided between the first and the second case portion to openably bind them together, so as to define a receiving in between the two case portions. The luggage case is characterized in a covering structure externally provided on the luggage case at one lateral side thereof; and the covering structure has one longitudinal edge externally fixedly connected to the first case portion, a covering strip portion extending across the closure structure, and an opposite longitudinal edge externally located on the second case portion to form a free end, which is not fixedly connected to the luggage case.

The hard luggage case with changeable case portion according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed of a first and a second case portion made of a rigid material; and a closure structure is provided between the first and the second case portion to openably bind them together, so as to define a receiving in between the two case portions. The luggage case is characterized in that the closure structure allows the first and the second case portion to completely separate from each other, such that the second case portion can be selectively replaced with a third case portion, which is structurally identical to the second case portion but has a different exterior design.

In all the first, second and third embodiments, the closure structure is a zipper including a first tooth tape, a second tooth tape and at least one slider. The first tooth tape is connected to the first case portion, the second tooth tape is connected to the second case portion, and the slider is movably connected to between the first and the second tooth tape. Whereby the zipper can be selectively opened or closed by pulling the slider along the first and the second tooth tape.

In summary, the hard luggage case with changeable case portion according to the present invention is featured by the coupling structure internally detachably connected at an edge to the second case portion, the covering structure having a free end externally detachably connected to the second case portion, the closure structure allowing the first and the second case portion to completely separate from each other, and the selective replacement of the second case portion with a third case portion structurally identical to the second case portion but showing a different exterior design, and the detachable connection of the third case portion to the first case portion via the closure structure to enable creation of a variety of different appearances for the luggage case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a hard luggage case with changeable case portion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a slider is manipulated to separate a first and a second tooth tape of a zipper from each other for opening the hard luggage case of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the manner of detaching a coupling structure from a second case portion of the hard luggage case of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a third case portion is assembled to a first case portion of the hard luggage case of the present invention to replace the second case portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with some preferred embodiments thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 that are assembled and exploded perspective views, respectively, of a hard luggage case with changeable case portion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For the purpose of clarity, the present invention is also briefly referred to as a luggage case and denoted by reference numeral 10 herein. As shown, the luggage case 10 internally defines a receiving space 11 for holding things therein, and is assembled from a first case portion 20, a second case portion 30, a closure structure 40, a coupling structure 50, and a covering structure 60.

The first case portion 20 has a first open side 21 and an opposite first closed side 22; and the second case portion 30 has a second open side 31 corresponding to the first open side 21 and an opposite second closed side 32. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned receiving space 11 is enclosed in between the first closed side 22 of the first case portion 20 and the second closed side 32 of the second case portion 30, and the first and the second open side 21, 31 are located between the first and the second closed side 22, 32.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first case portion 20 and the second case portion 30 are made of a rigid material.

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. The closure structure 40 is provided between the first open side 21 and the second open side 31 for binding the first case portion 20 and the second case portion 30 together and accordingly forming the luggage case 10 having the receiving space 11 enclosed therein. As shown, the closure structure 40 in the preferred embodiment is a zipper 41 formed of a first tooth tape 42, a second tooth tape 43 and at least one slider 44. The first tooth tape 42 is connected to along the first open side 21 of the first case portion 20, and the second tooth tape 43 is connected to along the second open side 31 of the second case portion 30. The slider 44 is movably mounted to between the first and the second tooth tape 42, 43, such that a user may selectively move the slider 44 along the first and the second tooth tape 42, 43 to open or close the zipper 41.

When the slider 44 is moved along the first and the second tooth tape 42, 43 to their one end, the slider 44 can be retained to the end of the first tooth tape 42 while the second tooth tape 43 can be selectively disengaged from the slider 44, allowing the second case portion 30 to separate from the first case portion 20.

Alternatively, the slider 44 can be moved along the first and the second tooth tape 42, 43 to a position beyond the ends of the two tooth tapes 42, 43, so that the slider 44, the first tooth tape 42 and the second tooth tape 43 are fully disengaged from one another, allowing the first and the second case portion 20, 30 to separate from each other.

That is, the first tooth tape 42 has two terminal ends detachably connected to two terminal ends of the second tooth tape 43.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the coupling structure 50 is arranged in the receiving space 11 to locate at one lateral side of the luggage case 10. The coupling structure 50 has one longitudinal edge fixedly connected to an inner surface of the first case portion 20 and another opposite longitudinal edge detachably connected to an inner surface of the second case portion 30 via a hook tape 51 and a loop tape 52, which are provided on the coupling structure 50 and the second case portion 30, respectively.

It is understood the connection of the coupling structure 50 to the second case portion 30 via the hook tape 51 and the loop tape 52 is only illustrative and not intended to limit the present invention in any way. That is, depending on different conditions of use, the coupling structure 50 and the second case portion 30 can be otherwise detachably connected to each other using other types of male and female fasteners, such as snap fasteners or tongue and groove fasteners.

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 4. The covering structure 60 is externally located at one lateral side of the luggage case 10. The covering structure 60 has one longitudinal edge fixedly connected to the first case portion 20, a covering strip portion 61 extending across the first open side 21, the closure structure 40 and the second open side 31, and an opposite longitudinal edge externally located on the second case portion 30 to form a free end 62, which is not fixedly connected to the luggage case 10.

The covering structure 60 and the coupling structure 50 are located at the same lateral side of the luggage case 10. Two ends of the first tooth tape 42 and two ends of the second tooth tape 43 are located between the coupling structure 50 and the covering structure 60 and are therefore protectively shielded from external environment and damage when the luggage case 10 is in use.

Please refer to FIGS. 5 to 7. In practical use of the luggage case 10 of the present invention, a user may pull the slider 44 for the originally engaged first and second tooth tapes 42, 43 to disengage from each other, so as to open the second case portion 30 from the first case portion 20 of the luggage case 10.

Then, detach the coupling structure 50 from the second case portion 30 and pull the slider 44 further to completely separate the first and the second case portion 20, 30 from each other. At this point, the user may, accordingly to personal preference, replace the second case portion 30 with a third case portion 70 that is structurally identical to the second case portion 30 but shows a different exterior design, so as to give the luggage case 10 a unique appearance.

In summary, the hard luggage case with changeable case portion according to the present invention is featured by the coupling structure internally detachably connected at one longitudinal edge to the second case portion, the covering structure having a free end externally detachably connected to the second case portion, the closure structure allowing the first and the second case portion to completely separate from each other, and the selective replacement of the second case portion with a third case portion structurally identical to the second case portion but showing a different exterior design, and the detachable connection of the third case portion to the first case portion via the closure structure to enable creation of a variety of different appearances for the luggage case.

The present invention has been described with a preferred embodiment thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in the described embodiment can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hard luggage case with changeable case portion, comprising a first and a second case portion made of a rigid material; and a closure structure connected to between the first and the second case portion, such that the first and the second case portion are openably closed to form the luggage case and define a receiving space therein; the hard luggage case being characterized in that the closure structure allows the first and the second case portion to completely separate from each other, such that the second case portion can be selectively replaced with a third case portion, which is structurally identical to the second case portion but shows a different exterior design.
 2. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a coupling structure provided in the receiving space of the luggage case; and the coupling structure having one longitudinal edge internally fixedly connected to the first case portion and another opposite longitudinal edge detachably connected to an inner surface of the second case portion.
 3. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 2, wherein the coupling structure is detachably connected to the second case portion with a hook tape and a loop tape, which are provided on between the coupling structure and the second case portion, respectively.
 4. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a covering structure externally provided on the luggage case; and the covering structure having one longitudinal edge externally fixedly connected to the first case portion, a covering strip portion extending across the closure structure, and an opposite longitudinal edge externally located on the second case portion to form a free end, which is not fixedly connected to the luggage case.
 5. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure structure is a zipper including a first tooth tape, a second tooth tape and at least one slider; the first tooth tape being connected to the first case portion, the second tooth tape being connected to the second case portion, and the slider being movably connected to between the first and the second tooth tape; whereby the zipper can be selectively opened or closed by pulling the slider along the first and the second tooth tape.
 6. A hard luggage case with changeable case portion, comprising a first and a second case portion made of a rigid material; and a closure structure connected to between the first and the second case portion, such that the first and the second case portion are openably closed to form the luggage case and define a receiving space therein; the hard luggage case being characterized in a coupling structure provided in the receiving space to locate at one lateral side of the luggage case; and the coupling structure having one longitudinal edge internally fixedly connected to the first case portion and another opposite longitudinal edge detachably connected to an inner surface of the second case portion.
 7. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 6, wherein, when the coupling structure is detached from the second case portion, the closure structure allows the first and the second case portion to completely separate from each other, such that the second case portion can be selectively replaced with a third case portion, which is structurally identical to the second case portion but shows a different exterior design.
 8. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coupling structure is detachably connected to the second case portion with a hook tape and a loop tape, which are provided on between the coupling structure and the second case portion, respectively.
 9. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a covering structure externally provided on the luggage case at the same lateral side as the coupling structure; and the covering structure having one longitudinal edge externally fixedly connected to the first case portion, a covering strip portion extending across the closure structure, and an opposite longitudinal edge externally located on the second case portion to form a free end, which is not fixedly connected to the luggage case.
 10. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 6, wherein the closure structure is a zipper including a first tooth tape, a second tooth tape and at least one slider; the first tooth tape being connected to the first case portion, the second tooth tape being connected to the second case portion, and the slider being movably connected to between the first and the second tooth tape; whereby the zipper can be selectively opened or closed by pulling the slider along the first and the second tooth tape.
 11. A hard luggage case with changeable case portion, comprising a first and a second case portion made of a rigid material; and a closure structure connected to between the first and the second case portion, such that the first and the second case portion are openably closed to form the luggage case and define a receiving space therein; the hard luggage case being characterized in a covering structure externally provided on the luggage case at one lateral side thereof; and the covering structure having one longitudinal edge externally fixedly connected to the first case portion, a covering strip portion extending across the closure structure, and an opposite longitudinal edge externally located on the second case portion to form a free end, which is not fixedly connected to the luggage case.
 12. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 11, wherein the closure structure allows the first and the second case portion to completely separate from each other, such that the second case portion can be selectively replaced with a third case portion, which is structurally identical to the second case portion but has a different exterior design.
 13. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a coupling structure provided in the receiving space to locate at the same lateral side of the luggage case as the covering structure; and the coupling structure having one longitudinal edge internally fixedly connected to the first case portion and another opposite longitudinal edge detachably connected to an inner surface of the second case portion.
 14. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 13, wherein the coupling structure is detachably connected to the second case portion with a hook tape and a loop tape, that are provided on between the coupling structure and the second case portion, respectively.
 15. The hard luggage case as claimed in claim 11, wherein the closure structure is a zipper including a first tooth tape, a second tooth tape and at least one slider; the first tooth tape being connected to the first case portion, the second tooth tape being connected to the second case portion, and the slider being movably connected to between the first and the second tooth tape; whereby the zipper can be selectively opened or closed by pulling the slider along the first and the second tooth tape. 